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Starbucks Buzzes Fallon

As expected, Starbucks Coffee moved its advertising account to Fallon McElligott in Minneapolis. The Seattle-based coffee company said Fallon’s new creative chief David Lubars, who worked on the account while at BBDO West, as well as the agency’s track record at building brands, led them to select the Minneapolis shop. Starbucks spent nearly $14 million on advertising last year, according to Competitive Media Reporting. Lubars had worked on the account when he was chief executive officer at BBDO West in Los Angeles. Starbucks dismissed the agency last month. Lubars joined Fallon in April as creative director. Starbucks officials said they approached Lubars and Fallon, not the other way around. “It was an opportunity we didn’t want to pass,” said company representative Alan Gulick. Lubars said he was “flattered” Starbucks wanted to continue working with him. He said the shift should not take anything away from his former agency. “I like [BBDO], and I’m proud of what I helped build there,” Lubars said. “By the same token, I have a special relationship with Starbucks.” Lubars’ association with Starbucks dates back to 1995, when he worked on their review at BBDO after the contenders list had already closed. Goodby, Silverstein & Partners won that pitch, but Lubars’ bid made a lasting impression. Starbucks moved its account to BBDO West last year without a review. Fallon is also expected to help Starbucks develop plans to distributed coffee in grocery stores, in tandem with Kraft Foods. Advertising duties for the product, however, have not been determined.